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14th out of 83 books
—
62 voters
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi is a sweeping tale of intrigue and romance set in a time rife with court politics, papal chicanery, religious intolerance, and inviolable social rules. Grazia, private secretary to the world-renowned Isabella d'Este, is the daughter of an eminent Jewish banker, the wife of the pope's Jewish physician, and the lover of a Christian prince....more
Paperback, 576 pages
Published
September 8th 1998
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 1997)
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My favorite novel of all time, Grazia is the daughter of a Jewish banker in Italy in 1400, falling in love with a Christian prince who is forced to marry another. Grazia marries the Pope's Jewish physician who encourages her to continue her scholarship. She becomes a scribe to Isabella d'Este and begins this book for her son, to be read when he comes of age. Renaissance Italy comes alive in this story.
I enjoyed this very much and got through it quite quickly. Grazia's perspective as a female, Jewish scholar in Renaissance Italy was one I'd never heard before. I was extremely impressed by the all the research the author must have done. Also, she quoted both translated and original text from Greek and Latin classics quite extensively. I'm not sure if she's a scholar of those languages or not, but either way, she did excellently in that regard. It really lent a feeling of authenticity to the boo...more
Jacqueline Park's historical-fiction, set in Renaissance Italy, tells the tale of Grazia dei Rossi, a resilient Jewess who falls in love with a Christian prince, considers converting to Christianity, but in the end settles for a much admired though older Jewish doctor who never consummates their marriage.
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi is an enjoyable read because Park so adroitly handles historical detail, action & suspense and characterization.
Grazia's tumultuous life is scarred by b...more
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi is an enjoyable read because Park so adroitly handles historical detail, action & suspense and characterization.
Grazia's tumultuous life is scarred by b...more
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This book follows a pattern of a libra segreta, a secret manuscript written by the heroine as a confession of sorts for her young son. She chronicles her tumultuous life of an exceptionally learned girl from a quite unconventional Jewish household in Renaissance Italy. Grazia's biography aside, the picture of Jewish life is probably the most interesting part of the book. No matter how influential and prosperous, Jews were never safe from the machinations of fanatics, the dishonesty of princes or...more
Read this book over 10 years ago after my daughter's friend's mother lent it to me. Really enjoyed it, lots of interesting (and brutal) history and a fascinating story. I've been hoping for last 2 years to find the book to read again, but could not for life of me remember the book's title. Had resigned myself to maybe never finding it as all I could remember was the setting and time period and that it involved some early history of banking. Then was at my favorite thrift store today, where I've...more
"This is a fabulous book if you love the Italian rennaissance era, and all the political and religous intrigue that it brings. Grazia is an incredibly intelligent and scholarly heroine - quite unusual for the time and I loved the way this book fully explores and expands on her scholarly pursuits. I had recently read Tobsha Learner's the Witch of Cologne and initially I was tempted to constantly compare the two. I did find this book a better read, as I became turned off by the W.O.C.'s focus on t...more
This book is the life story of Grazia dei Rossi, a jewish girl in the 1500's who falls in love with a Christian. It's very well written and told. I totally enjoyed the book.
In the footnotes at the end, the author says she got the idea for the book from two actual letters she found. In one, the Marchese tells a Jewish girl that she shoud convert and marry the Christian man who loves her so and it's answering reply from the girl stating that she is in a quandry about having to choose between her...more
In the footnotes at the end, the author says she got the idea for the book from two actual letters she found. In one, the Marchese tells a Jewish girl that she shoud convert and marry the Christian man who loves her so and it's answering reply from the girl stating that she is in a quandry about having to choose between her...more
Surprisingly, excellent! A random find that I thoroughly enjoyed and brought me to the verge of tears – not commonly achieved. Part of the enjoyment comes from the fact that I don’t normally read books set in this time of humanistic Italy with all it’s beauties, hypocrisy and corruption. There are points when the historical element takes over and becomes a little tedious but this fact should not hold one back from the read. I found it to be well paced and engaging in a wholly simple and un-bedaz...more
This is a very well written and researched book set in Renaissance Italy 1484-1527. Our main character is an educated young Jewish woman. As well as great storytelling, this book is also a great way to learn the history of the period,including the basis of the banking industry, the birth of Jewish ghettos, the fury of zealots like Savonarola, the wars between aristocratic principalities France, the Roman Emperor, and the Pope; and the effects of Spain's wealth from its exploration of the New Wor...more
This novel is intensely detailed, exquisitely written, and exhaustively researched. Since I greatly enjoy history and have been to many of the cities mentioned in the novel, I especially enjoyed the details that Ms. Park included, and I highly recommend this book to anyone with a love a Renaissance period history.
That said... if you like to read books which, if they are over 200 pages have a very large font, or have any sort of corset ripping going on, pass this one by. It is very long, and you...more
That said... if you like to read books which, if they are over 200 pages have a very large font, or have any sort of corset ripping going on, pass this one by. It is very long, and you...more
Overall I was just plain disappointed in this book! It had a few memorable moments, but all together I found it long winded and a bit scattered. I really really wanted to like this book. If it was cut down to 200 pages I probably would have loved it, but I hated the long winded letters, pages of historical background and numerous(not important) minor characters. I would not recommend this book to anyone. Also not having a knowledge of the Jewish culture I was very confused constantly! Sad and di...more
It may be considered a chick book, but I loved it. It's definitely at a college reading level. Very down to Earth. It showed me that everybody's human. No matter how good a person you may be considered to be, we all have our demons. A fabulous book to read. There may be some parts you will not like, but it is worth the read.
One of my favorite historical novels--I love it for the time period, the cameos, and the lively story. Not every detail or coincidence is believable if the reader stands objectively outside the story, but the fictional dream was a great ride. I've read this novel several times over the years, and will keep it on my bookshelf.
Great, now I'm going to be talking in flowery Rennaisance prose for the rest of the day....
This is the story of a Jewish woman in Italy in the early 1500s. From the cruelty of the early Jewish ghettos to the brutal sack of Rome, this book gave me the most personal, immediate sense of medieval life I've ever read.
This is the story of a Jewish woman in Italy in the early 1500s. From the cruelty of the early Jewish ghettos to the brutal sack of Rome, this book gave me the most personal, immediate sense of medieval life I've ever read.
It seems as if there was a lot of the same story line over and over. But life is
kind of that way. At the end you are amazed that everyone during that period didn't just throw
up their hands and walk away. Well written, characters were credible and heroine was easy to
hold dear.
A slow read of a book that was full of stereotypes and just plain not very memorable. I did not finish it before my book club met. One person in our book club really liked the book. Others thought it was OK but would have liked to see more return for their investment in reading it.
While I admire the author's intentions with this one, I eventually became very bored with the anachronisms in it, which annoyed me to no end. Grr. Others' experience may be different.
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_42032...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_42032...
I read this book some years ago,but I remember really enjoying it, so I'm giving it 5 stars. It has all the ingredients that make for a good read: intersting history, dynamic characters, a touching romance.
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I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. This book chronicled a time period that I hadn't read much about, and this author wove together the facts, characters and story line beautifully.
If you like loosely based historical fiction- this book is for you. Royalty, religion, art, women's roles. Fascinating. Stayed up many nights past my bedtime just to read a few more chapters.
Who knew there were Jews in ancient Italy? I loved this book. I read it a long time ago but I remember recommending it to everyone. If you like the red tent you will like this one.
Well-researched historical novel about a Jewish woman in Italy during early Renaissance. Plot includes a good love story but is much denser, deeper and more satisfying than a romance novel.
This is probably the first "heather's pick" novel that I haven't liked. It is long and boring for the most part. I wouldn't recommend it... it was a struggle to finish it.
Fabulous sweeping saga, historical fiction - has everythng - intrigue, politics, love, sex, adventure -
and references to ancient, revered works of art. I loved it
and references to ancient, revered works of art. I loved it
Couldn't finish it. The detail of the history was lovely, but the characters were spunky and feisty, or devilish and charming, or kind and grave. Ooogy.
Historical fiction - a perfect combination of history, life, love, family - all mixed together - during the period before and during the inquisition in Italy.
Recommended by Chris Shank. Loved it. Historical fiction from Europe during the late 14/early 1500s. Wonderful characters with interesting lives.
A beautiful work of historical fiction. A story of forbidden love -a compelling diary the protagonist leaves as a legacy to her son.
Picked this up at a book sale on the basis of its title and because it is historical fiction. I was not disappointed. Another excellent bit of history brought to life at the hands of a most adept author.
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